The move is pretty routine for veteran players not on a team's 40-man roster, as is the case for both Eveland and Paulino. They can test the free agent market, but the door is not closed in terms of them re-signing with the Orioles.

Eveland, one of the first acquisitions of executive vice president Dan Duquette last offseason, was a rare spot starter and long reliever for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 14 major league appearance (two starts). Over the course of the season, the Orioles designated Eveland for assignment three times and he accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, which prevented him from forfeiting his major league salary.

Paulino, signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason, made the Opening Day roster because of a lingering injury to backup catcher Taylor Teagarden. He hit .254/.266/.302 in 20 major league games but was designated and outrighted to Norfolk once Teagarden returned.

Baseball America's Matt Eddy first reported that Eveland and Paulino elected free agency.

One of the many tough decisions the Orioles must make this offseason is whether they will make an effort to resign outfielder Nate McLouth, who was an instrumental part of the team’s playoff push and arguably their best player in the postseason.